The wellbeing economy: What it is, and why it'll boost independence

When I look around Scotland, I see a people with so much potential. A nation with almost unrivalled natural wealth, a history of innovation and enlightenment and a distinct culture. I also see that potential will be forever wasted and deliberately undermined for as long as Scotland continues to exist only as a half-nation within the UK.

Clearing the independence roadblock

The single biggest roadblock to achieving independence is the lack of an inspiring vision of the kind of nation an independent Scotland can aspire to become.

Scotland needs a clear, inspiring and yes, radical vision of how we will develop a better future or we cannot progress. Radical may seem like a scary word to some people, but radical doesn't need to mean out of step with the majority of the population. It's British nationalism and the neo-conservative economics of the red-and-blue Brexit or bust Westminster parties that is radically out of step with the values of the people of Scotland.  

Getting on the front foot

Independence is not a destination in itself - but a step on a journey towards building a better, fairer, greener, wealthier, healthier and happier society. It's a journey that requires the reinvention of Scotland through a Wellbeing Economic Approach. The message in 2014 from Yes Scotland and the SNP was "don't scare the horses". Almost like: "Nothing will change except we will be a nation; you will still be able to get Doctor Who and Antiques Roadshow on your TV."

The Yes message was based on a detailed and boring process document. This approach led to a campaign based on answering questions on the details of independence, not on the opportunities of independence. When there is no inspiring vision to lead the conversation, the debate becomes about the process of independence, not the benefits. That meant that when our spokespeople went on TV and participated in debates, they were always on the back foot - winning but from a defensive position. My then-mentor and vice chair of Business for Scotland said it best when we were discussing one of my Newsnight appearances. He told me: "You were always on the back foot, always being asked to explain. It's like Andy Murray trying to win Wimbledon without being allowed to serve".   

Ending the pain

The Wellbeing Economic Approach puts the independence movement on the front foot but more importantly, it's what the people need. It's the key to ending the pain and chaos of Brexit Britain.  

Energy prices have gone through the roof, rising interest rates are making mortgages unaffordable and food banks are overwhelmed, with some even running out of food for those in need. Brexit has harmed exports and economic growth, cutting wages and costing jobs. Since the financial crash of 2007/8, UK wages have grown more slowly than across Europe and our state pensions are among the worst of any developed nation. The UK is locked into a cycle of socioeconomic decline - but there is a better way.

Reinventing Scotland 

Independence is a journey, not a destination. In this new series of articles and a newsletter for The National, I will explore that journey and show how wellbeing economics is the key to both gaining Scotland's independence and creating a thriving independent nation.

We will take in-depth looks at how new socio-economic approaches and policies are being implemented and tested around the world. Some ideas you will be familiar with, others may surprise you. We will look at key concepts such as:

• basic income
• how subsidiarity improves democracy
• collective budgeting
• community energy and district heating systems
• rural economic regeneration
• electronic and physical sovereign currencies
• the role of co-operatives in building a fairer society
• the need for a Wellbeing Pension
• a mandatory real living wage
• how to harness the massive opportunities from green economy ... and much more. 

I also want to discuss the human condition, the core values of our nation and why we allow a mismatch in the values we hold and those of the political leaders and ideas many people still vote for.

I am not talking about pie-in-the-sky ideas. We will discuss what we can do now in Scotland with the current powers of the Scottish Parliament and what we can eventually aspire to as a fully independent nation on the path to being the world leader in designing and implementing a wellbeing economy.

Don't tell me you're not tempted!

Scottish independence with the Wellbeing Economic Approach will create a better, fairer, greener, wealthier, healthier, happier, more successful Scotland. Let's plan how we make that happen. 

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp is the CEO of Business for Scotland, the Chief Economist at the 'Wellbeing Economics' think tank Scotianomics, the founder of the Believe in Scotland campaign and the author of Scotland the Brief.